How to Make a Ken Loach Film (2016)

How to Make a Ken Loach Film Poster

This unique interactive film puts you on set with Ken Loach in production on his latest film, I, Daniel Blake. Throwing us into life on location and during pre-production, it enables you to change the course of your viewing experience by selecting inserts in which Loach and some of his key collaborators – past and present – give fascinating insights into his creative practices. (The version released on the Criterion Collection edition is only 38 minutes and doesn't include the interactive parts with interviews and illustrative scenes from previous Loach films.)

Overview and Introduction
"How to Make a Ken Loach Film" is a 2016 documentary brief that includes the acclaimed British filmmaker, Ken Loach, offering enlightening expert tips and insights about his film-making procedure. Directed by Laura Fairrie and produced under the banner of the British Film Institute, the brief offers a mind-blowing peek into Loach's special approach to storytelling.

Loach's Unique Style
Among the most notable elements of the documentary is its spotlight on Loach's distinctive style. Loach is quintessential for his paradigm-shifting, socially conscious movies that seriously evaluate society and politics. The documentary reveals how Loach guarantees his films remain as practical and humanistic as possible. It reveals his innovative rehearsal procedures, usage of naturalistic lighting, portable video camera strategies, and special casting methods that count on discovering actors with personal connections to their characters' experiences, instead of focusing on physical similarity.

Empowering Amateur Actors
An intriguing theme that later emerges in the documentary is Loach's emphasis on working with amateur stars. By putting people with little to no acting experience in leading roles, Loach produces an efficiency space that mimics real life. He believes this adds a genuine, organic quality to his movies, making the experience more appealing for the viewers. A vital aspect of this procedure is Loach's uncommon approach of giving the script to the stars in pieces. The star gets the part of the script involving their character just on the day they are shooting. This helps to capture the raw, spontaneous responses of the actors, making the scenes appear more authentic and unplanned.

A Collaborative Process
The documentary likewise showcases the vital function of cooperation in Loach's filmmaking process. Loach is typically seen working closely with his long-term scriptwriter Paul Laverty and his important editor Jonathan Morris. This vibrant trio has developed various acclaimed films for many years. Additionally, Loach stands out for valuing the input and imagination of the team, typically imploring them to contribute their ideas, facilitating an inclusive and collaborative working environment.

Political Influence and Conclusion
Being a previous legal representative with a background in law, Loach's movies often highlight his political ideologies and his deep issue for the marginalized sections of society. The documentary likewise emphasises that Loach's technique to filmmaking is not about glorifying movie theater or its technology, but rather a tool to voice the battles of common individuals and decide on socio-political issues.

In summary, "How to Make a Ken Loach Film" from 2016 functions as a remarkable documentary that uses important insights into Ken Loach's non-traditional filmmaking methods. While detailing Loach's process from casting to storyboarding, to shooting and modifying, it shows his commitment to realism and truth. Loach's creative approach and distinct point of view on cinema are inspiring and, despite his questionable reception, his value in British film culture is indisputable.

Top Cast

  • Ken Loach (small)
    Ken Loach
    Interviewee
  • Rebecca O'Brien
    Interviewee
  • Paul Laverty (small)
    Paul Laverty
    Interviewee
  • Cillian Murphy (small)
    Cillian Murphy
    Interviewee
  • Jonathan Morris
    Interviewee
  • Kahleen Crawford
    Interviewee
  • Tony Garnett
    Interviewee
  • Chris Menges (small)
    Chris Menges
    Interviewee
  • Barry Ackroyd (small)
    Barry Ackroyd
    Interviewee
  • Robbie Ryan (small)
    Robbie Ryan
    Interviewee
  • Crissy Rock
    Interviewee